New Deal teacher returns to work after 15-month tour of duty in Afghanistan

Master Sgt. Rocky Upchurch, a math and science teacher at New Deal High School who recently returned from Afghanistan, shakes hands with each member of April Whaley?s fourth-grade social studies class after the group recited The American?s Creed during a welcome-home assembly at the school on Monday.

Rocky Upchurch returned to work Monday at New Deal High School after spending more than a year in Afghanistan with the Army.

Upchurch, who teaches science and math at New Deal High School, has been deployed to Afghanistan with his Army Reserve unit for the past 15 months.

Upchurch came back to Texas about 10 days ago and started teaching again on Monday. At a reception held at New Deal High School, students, family members and faculty welcomed Upchurch home.

"We are excited to have our math and science teacher back home where you belong," New Deal High School Principal Jerry Adams said at Monday's reception.

Upchurch, a master sergeant, works in the Army's civil affairs division. Upchurch was involved in reconstruction projects and acted as a liaison between the military and locals in Afghanistan.

He has also served tours in Iraq and Bosnia prior to being deployed to Afghanistan.

"We've missed him and we're so grateful he's home safe," said Jimmy Noland, superintendant of New Deal Independent School District.

Upchurch, who has taught at New Deal for 19 years, thanked everyone he works with and his family for being patient during his latest deployment.

"It's kind of rough being gone this long," Upchurch said Monday. "I was ready to get back home."

Upchurch's wife Kim is also employed at New Deal High School, where she works as a teacher assistant. The couple has two sons, Matthew and Joshua, who also attend New Deal schools.